Larry Dean avoids restricted free agency, re-signs with Vikings

The Vikings signed Jasper Brinkley on Sunday and will meet with Jameel McClain on Monday, the same day that they locked up a member of their linebacking corps.

The team announced that they have re-signed linebacker Larry Dean. Dean was eligible for restricted free agency, but re-signing now means that he and the Vikings won’t have to do a dance involving tender offers.

Dean joined the team as an undrafted free agent in 2011 and has seen action in all 48 regular season games and one postseason game with the team since then. Most of that action has come on special teams, where he has 48 overall tackles. Dean had four of those tackles against the Ravens last December, the most special teams stops in a game by any member of the team last season.

Dean joins cornerback Marcus Sherels as potential restricted free agents that the Vikings have re-signed ahead of the start of free agency. They were the only two players eligible for that designation this season.

Brinkley had 27 tackles and Dean had 13. Yep, the Vikings are signing the best of the best this offseason. I would keep my appointment with Jameel McLain as well if that’s what is starting in Minnesota. Of course, they are always good for a laugh.

What a joke. Spielman is keeping the below average guys, instead of drafting youth. He does not know how to evaluate young talent! This defense will be shredded again within the division! Not insulting. Not joking. Being serious.

We are resigning these special teams players because they have noticeably gotten better each year they’ve been in the league. To have undrafted free agents getting multiple contracts means they are progressing and doing what we ask of them. The Vikings mean business this year. Boom shakalaka.

People who don’t appreciate special team signings are morons. Coaches know how important they are, and how hard it is to find good ones. Look at the Seahawks Heath Farwell — still playing special teams after about a dozen years in the league.